Preview: Pools Hoping To Lift Christmas Spirits

Hartlepool United are hoping to raise the Christmas spirit around Victoria Park with a much needed win.

Vital Quotes:

Home Team Focus
Hartlepool United are really up against the ropes this Christmas, after they threw away yet another lead to go down 3-1 at Leeds United. Although losing to Leeds is nothing unexpected it does not make for good reading on the form guide. Chris Turner and his men have now lost 5 of the last 7 games and frustratingly have lost all these games from winning positions. Despite the poor run of form and what seems like a hefty defeat at the League leaders, Chris Turner was full of praise for his battling side that could feel more than a little hard done too by the officials and lady luck.

“I am very proud of my team today. I know we lost 3-1 but I said to the lads in the week leading up to the game that we wouldn`t be coming here to sit back and try and soak up pressure and make it boring. We came here to give it a right good go and I thought we did that. Unfortunately, we were playing against probably the best team in the division and also against three officials.” Chris Turner (HUFC)

Away Team Focus
Oldham should go into Monday`s Clash with Hartlepool bright eyed and bushy tailed and full of running. After their Boxing Day game against Tranmere was called off due to the winter weather. Currently there is not much between the two sides and their current form. Oldham have also struggled over the last month or two and have only picked up 5 points from a possible 21. Oldham however will be looking for a spot of revenge against Pools after they lost 3-0 at home to Hartlepool earlier in the year.

Hartlepool Team News:

It seems to be a case of one in, one out on the injury front for Chris Turner. Neil Austin returned to the starting line-up against Leeds on Boxing Day, unfortunately Gary Liddle was taken off in the same game with a hamstring injury. Liddle will be assessed on Monday a head of the Oldham clash. Colin Larkin returned to the squad and made a late sub appearance, he could be in contention for a starting spot along with Andy Monkhouse who returns after his 1 match suspension. Apart from that Chris Turner will most likely use the same squad of players that travelled to Leeds.

Player to watch: Armann Bjornsson

There are still quite a few question marks over the head of Armann Bjornsson. The 6ft 5in Icelandic International has shown glimpses of what he can do but has yet to deliver goals and performances on a regular basis since getting his chance in the starting 11. With players like Colin Larkin returning to the squad and Dennis Bhean not far behind the big front man will have to stamp his authority on the squad, sooner rather than later. Will the cold, harsh winter conditions surrounding The Vic bring out the best in Armann Bjornsson?

Oldham Team News:

Oldham are still without several players due to injury but the crisis is beginning to ease as several players where due to return against Tranmere on Boxing Day. Jacobson could be switched to full back, if young defender Black fails to recover from the injury he picked up before Christmas. Pawel Abbott, Chris Taylor and Reuben Hazell are heading back towards full fitness. They are all in contention for a starting place after having a couple of days extra to recover from injury.

Player to watch: Powell Abbott

Powell Abbott is Oldham’s leading scorer with 6 goals in 15 appearances. Oldham are the leagues joint lowest scorers but with so many injuries to the forwards the majority of the goal responsibility has landed on the shoulders of the former Darlington striker. Abbott has been Oldham`s biggest threat in front of goal all season and the Latics will be once again looking to Abbott to get amongst the goals.

Match Facts & Stats

There has been 57 league meetings between the two sides at Victoria Park, with Pools wining 12, drawing 9 and losing 7. However a strange pattern has occurred during the ‘noughties’ with Hartlepool drawing then winning alternative games throughout the decade. The last result was infact a 3-3 draw, so if the pattern is to continue right to the end of the decade then Pools should be in for a win. Former players for both sides include Jan Budtz, Kevin Betsy, Paul Beavers and former Arsenal defender Andy Linighan.

Match Prediction:

Hartlepool 2-0 Oldham

Both sides are in a poor run of form and are also desperate for all three points as they start to edge towards the relegation battle zone.

However with Oldham’s distinct lack of goal it is hard to see them braking down Hartlepool United at home.

Next Fixtures:

Hartlepool’s next fixture is not till the 9th of January away at Charlton. Pools should have been facing Gillingham on the 2nd of January but that game has been re-scheduled because of the F.A Cup fixtures.